Apparatus and method for fluid analysis
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for measuring the index of refraction of a fluid, comprising:
- a hollow sample cell having interior and exterior walls, with the interior walls defining a sample chamber;
the sample cell further having walls defining inlet and outlet openings through the interior and exterior walls for introducing a fluid sample into the sample chamber;
the sample cell further having first and second opposed, spaced-apart, transparent windows;
a laser positioned exterior of the sample cell opposite the first window;
the laser and first and second windows positioned with respect to each other such that laser light is directed into the sample cell through the first window, through the sample chamber, and out of the sample cell through the second window;
a transparent positioner connected to an exterior wall of the sample cell and having a first face opposite the second window and a second face spaced apart and opposite from the first face; and
an angle detector connected to the second face of the transparent positioner for determining the angle of the light exiting the sample cell with respect to the sample cell, the angle detector including a linear array of light-sensitive elements, the array operable to generate an electrical signal indicative of light-sensitive elements illuminated by the laser light; and
a computer for determining the index of refraction from the electrical signal.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for fluid analysis includes a sensor for determining the index of refraction of a fluid. Advanced methods of fluid analysis relate index of refraction and other measured physical characteristics of the fluid.
-
Citations
4 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for measuring the index of refraction of a fluid, comprising:
-
a hollow sample cell having interior and exterior walls, with the interior walls defining a sample chamber; the sample cell further having walls defining inlet and outlet openings through the interior and exterior walls for introducing a fluid sample into the sample chamber; the sample cell further having first and second opposed, spaced-apart, transparent windows; a laser positioned exterior of the sample cell opposite the first window; the laser and first and second windows positioned with respect to each other such that laser light is directed into the sample cell through the first window, through the sample chamber, and out of the sample cell through the second window; a transparent positioner connected to an exterior wall of the sample cell and having a first face opposite the second window and a second face spaced apart and opposite from the first face; and an angle detector connected to the second face of the transparent positioner for determining the angle of the light exiting the sample cell with respect to the sample cell, the angle detector including a linear array of light-sensitive elements, the array operable to generate an electrical signal indicative of light-sensitive elements illuminated by the laser light; and a computer for determining the index of refraction from the electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
Specification
-
- Resources
Litigation Campaign Assessment
Thank you for your request. You will receive a custom alert email when the Litigation Campaign Assessment is available.
×
-
Current AssigneeAnalytical Index Technologies, Inc., Board of Trustees of The University of Illinois
-
Original AssigneeCFC Technology, University of Alabama At Huntsville
-
InventorsSmith, David B., Thompson, G. Wayne, Purves, David B., Workman, Gary L., See, Harold J., Mattes, Robert A., Cooper, Dan L., Turner, Kenneth D., Engelhaupt, Darell E.
-
Primary Examiner(s)HANTIS, KAREN
-
Application NumberUS08/734,231Time in Patent Office841 DaysField of Search306/128, 306/129, 306/133-134, 306/136, 306/130, 306/131, 306/132, 306/246, 306/135, 306/137-138, 306/139, 306/70US Class Current356/128CPC Class CodesG01N 21/4133 Refractometers, e.g. differ...
